Effect of Androstenedione on the Economic Parameters of the Silkworm, Bombyx mori

The effect of topical application with androstenedione on economic parameters was analyzed following treatment of last larval stadium. The treated larvae showed significantly increased larval weight along with other enhanced larval, cocoon and adult parameters. The larval period was significantly shortened in all the treated groups with increased cocooning percentages cocoon weight and its shell weight in female and filament length, weight and denier in all the treated groups. Hatching percentage increased significantly in dose dependent manner in all the treated groups when compared with the corresponding parameters of the carrier control group. This suggests that androstenedione can be used effectively for commercial silkworm rearing.